ahead
adverb or adjective
1
a
: in a forward direction or position : forward
b
: in front
2
: in, into, or for the future
plan ahead
3
: in or toward a more advantageous position
helped others to get ahead
4
: at or to an earlier time : in advance
make payments ahead
5
a
: in or into a leading position in a race or competition
a politician who is running ahead in most polls
Josh Carter scored from a yard out and the Pride added a two-point conversion to surge ahead 14-7.—
Cumberland (Maryland) Times-News
Cumberland (Maryland) Times-News
b
baseball
(1)
of a pitcher
: in or into the situation of having thrown more strikes than balls to a batter
Home run threat Mark Reynolds was up next with the bases loaded, but Colon quickly got ahead 1-2 in the count and struck the third baseman out swinging with a … fastball.—Ray Monell
Ray Monell
(2)
of a batter
: in or into the situation of having a count of more balls than strikes
Albert Pujols got ahead 3-1 and then lined one into the seats in left for his 20th home run of the year and second of the series.—John Fay
John FayExamples of ahead in a Sentence
call ahead for reservations
sent me ahead to get a place in the check-out line while she went to get the eggs and milk
the line moved ahead at a snail's pace
Recent Examples on the Web
Egbuka, who had seven catches for 163 yards, also converted a two-point conversion to put the Bucs ahead 21-14.
—Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
History says that negotiating process ahead isn't likely to be easy.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Prep a pan of lasagna ahead and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to one week; rewarm before tossing or brushing on any protein.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ahead
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Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
History says that negotiating process ahead isn't likely to be easy.
—Susan Page, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
Prep a pan of lasagna ahead and keep it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2025
The sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to one week; rewarm before tossing or brushing on any protein.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ahead
Cite this Entry
“Ahead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ahead. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ahead
adverb or adjective1
: in or toward the front
the road ahead
go ahead
2
: in, into, or for the future
think ahead
3
: in or toward a better position
came out $20 ahead on the deal
4
: at or to an earlier time : in advance
make payments ahead
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